UC switch over, when’s best to apply?

[Lovemusic82]

So I have received the letter saying I need to switch over to UC from TC and HB. I am a full time carer to disabled DD (18) and we live on our own. If my TC is stopped and my HB this leaves me with £80 a week carers allowance to live off for the 5-6 weeks it will take for my claim to come through? I have 3 weeks rent put back. Am I best waiting until my next HB payment goes in before applying? Ideally I want to get it out of the way or I’m going to be skint when dd breaks up for the summer holidays (she breaks up in June). How am I expected to live off £80 a week? It won’t cover food, gas, electric let alone the rent 😬.

Once you have made your UC claim and your UC elements have been verified ( rent, child, disabled child element etc) then you will be offered an advance to tide you over until first payment. This does have to be paid back usually over 12 months I think, maybe longer. You may also get a run on of housing benefit I think for two weeks. You will also have DLA and child benefit still coming in. I know DLA is money for your child's needs but just to let you know it won't stop.

Thank you. Yes we do have my DD’s PIP but we use a big chunk of it for a mobility car. I have heard bad things about taking the advanced payment but that might be my only option. It does say ‘2 weeks after application HB stops’ but I’m thinking if I apply the day after my HB goes in I will only miss out on 2 weeks of HB as I get it monthly?